Submitted by Jon on 2011/02/18 16:08
So I want to sort alphabetically by  item. I want the sort to stick every time I open the grid. I open the sourcebar and type in the field I want sorted. Alternatively, I can do this through manage grids, right?
 
1. The items are sorted correctly provided nothing in the list has an attribute tag (for example <b>). This destroys the sort. However...
 
2. If I use the sortbar, the attribute tags are ignored and the column is sorted correctly. This is the expected behavior and should be consistent throughout the program.
 
Unless I am missing something.
 
Jon

Comments

[quote=Jon]
So I want to sort alphabetically by  item. I want the sort to stick every time I open the grid. I open the sourcebar and type in the field I want sorted. Alternatively, I can do this through manage grids, right?
 
1. The items are sorted correctly provided nothing in the list has an attribute tag (for example <b>). This destroys the sort. However...
 
2. If I use the sortbar, the attribute tags are ignored and the column is sorted correctly. This is the expected behavior and should be consistent throughout the program.
 [/quote]
 
Yes
the sortbox is based on the text as it would appear if you are editing it. This is problematic with formatted text and links (if the whole item is e.g. bolded, it's not a problem). There are plans to improve sort but I cant remember are they for version 9.26 or .27
 
OTOH, the current drawbacks of using the sortbar are:
  • sort is lost on closing grid
  • sort-field has to be displayed in the grid
 
I presume (but I not 100% sure) that the sort as applied in manage grids is based on the sortbox/sourcebar (cause that's the only sort that is remembered on closing the grid). I've not used that route myself.
 
Note that if the sortbar is open, the sortbox is disabled.
 
 
EDIT/ if you're interested in reading a discussion on the topic see Sorting : the UI